Addis Ababa:Ethiopia’s pursuit of sustainable sea access is a rational national aspiration that should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations, former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn stated.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Hailemariam emphasized that the central question is not whether Ethiopia needs access to the sea, but how the country can secure it peacefully through mutually beneficial arrangements. He highlighted Ethiopia's status as the world’s most populous landlocked country, with a population of about 130 million and a growing economy.
He described the historical loss of direct maritime access as a factor shaping Ethiopia’s economic and strategic interests. Hailemariam questioned the geographical circumstances that have left Ethiopia without direct access to the Red Sea, despite its proximity, and pointed to the European scramble for Africa in the 1880s as a contributing factor to the current regional arrangement.
Hailemariam stressed the importance of history, geography, culture, and law in discussions about Ethiopia’s maritime interests, particularly regarding trade, economic development, and regional integration. He called on neighboring countries to view Ethiopia’s aspirations in terms of shared economic growth, peace, and security, underscoring the need for a solution that benefits the region and future generations.
He urged for constructive discussions to find a mutually beneficial solution, warning that opposition to Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations could be driven by a malicious intent to undermine the country’s regional power status. He referenced past regional tensions, such as Egypt’s opposition to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as an example of how fears can be unfounded.
Hailemariam concluded by advocating for a realistic approach to the sea-access issue, promoting peaceful solutions that support shared development and regional stability, using the traditional proverb "A dog chased by a hyena by moonlight will not venture outside by day."
